Scripture Scribbles: August 23, 2026

the Gospel

Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and

he asked his disciples,

"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,

still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

Simon Peter said in reply,

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus said to him in reply,

"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.

For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.

And so I say to you, you are Peter,

and upon this rock I will build my church,

and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;

and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Then he strictly ordered his disciples

to tell no one that he was the Christ.

the scribble

Life can be such a roller coaster sometimes, can’t it?

Especially when we’re living through struggles, uncertainties, hardships, or crazy headlines it can seem like there is nothing that we can truly count on. Nowhere we can go to truly find rest, solace, or peace.

Before my conversion, I remember feeling completely overwhelmed by this. In a time of suffering, I didn’t know where to turn. Anxiety, panic, and despair would seep in, threatening to completely take over.

Now, after a long journey coming to know the Lord, His voice, His guidance in my life, and His sure and steady hand that led me back home into His Church, I have noticed a deep, deep part of me that has become absolutely anchored.

Now, while life still gets overwhelming, and suffering and hardships come–for certain–it is fundamentally just… different.

Even in the midst of the storms I feel, deep in my soul, this anchoring sense of peace, security, and calm. I can feel my foundation, built on rock.

As Jesus tells us, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

Today, in the Gospel, He tells us what that rock is. It is Him, of course, but it is also Peter–the first Pope–and the Church that Jesus built. Jesus knows that we, as humans, need a physical, tangible place to go to see, feel, touch, experience Him on earth. He also knows that we, as humans, need guidance, clear direction–a sure place to stake our foundation.

Thank God for Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. Through the changing times, the confusing headlines, the suffering, and the hardship, we, as Catholics, have a sure place to count on. It is not perfect, far from it. The people in it are sinful, broken people. There are many ways the people and systems of it fail us. But, the Teachings–given to us by Jesus–and the Sacraments–the true Presence of God and His grace–are such rich, indescribably precious gifts.

Now, when storms come, I feel the steady presence of Jesus–the source of all peace–with me through it all. I know I can drive ten minutes down the road and go visit Him in the Eucharist. I know that, no matter what may be happening in my life or in the world, there is one place I can go to find Truth that withstands the changing tides of the centuries.

And for that, I am forever grateful.

Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of You.
For the gift of Your Church.
For giving me a steady and sure place to establish my foundation.
For being there with me, in every storm.
This week, help me to place my trust and hope in You.
Help me to surrender every worry, uncertainty, and anxiety into Your caring and capable hands.
Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Rachel Smith